Blurred Lines: A Study of Engagement in Online Learning

The understanding of the educational environment is vital for the success of the learners and the course—especially in an online setting. Numerous interconnected elements exist which influence the experience of a learner. By analyzing and deconstructing seven specific terms (common words associated in the online (e-) learning research corpus (meaningfulness, motivation, emotion, behavior, cognition, commitment, and engagement), the researcher hopes to show the multifaceted, multidimensional relationship between a person and his or her online andragogic environment. Thirty-three participants volunteered to take part in this research project. Each participant was asked to define the aforementioned seven words using only those seven words. The findings of the study shed new light on the interconnectedness of these variables. By understanding the interconnectedness of these terms, online educators, theorists, and students are in a better position to be successful in their endeavors.